Official Review: Zimbabwe Falcon by David Maring

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Kelebogile Mbangi
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Official Review: Zimbabwe Falcon by David Maring

Post by Kelebogile Mbangi »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Zimbabwe Falcon" by David Maring.]
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3 out of 4 stars
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Zimbabwe Falcon is a historical fiction book set in the land between the great Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers and is written by David Maring. 

The close of the 19th century is fast approaching, and the region between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers is dominated by the fierce Ndebele tribe. The region is home to the ruins of a great civilization known as the Great Zimbabwe. Cecil Rhodes, a great businessman, earmarks this historically rich region as the perfect place to establish a British colony. This would serve as the first step in extending British rule within the African interior. In 1890, Rhodes organizes the British Rhodesian Pioneers to march to the region and establish a settlement. The conflicts that arise are nothing short of epic as the region is home to a number of different ethnic groups.

Zimbabwe Falcon opens aboard the "King George" on a voyage to what was once known as the "Dark Continent", Africa. On board, we are introduced to a few of the lead characters. We meet sisters, Stacey and Grace Howard, who are on this voyage to reunite with their parents who had to leave them behind in Ireland years earlier in their attempt to seek a life of prosperity in Africa. We then meet Kinsey Marshell, a young man with dreams of establishing a flourishing mercantile business. All three end up settling in the new Rhodesian colony. Kinsey and Stacey even join the British Rhodesian Pioneers. This allows readers to follow the events that made history from a very human vantage point. We get to share in the high hopes, the sense of adventure, danger, and thrill felt by the pioneers and settlers.

Zimbabwe Falcon has an assortment of characters, all from differing ethnic backgrounds. We take an in-depth look at the thinking, motivations, and feelings of these characters who include Dutchmen, Afrikaners, British, Lemba, Shona, and Ndebele to mention a few. It was interesting to see how each character thought their ethnic group's mission was the will of God, despite some of these missions being almost irreconcilable with each other.

If you love history, then Zimbabwe Falcon is surely for you. Aside from the characters already mentioned, it contains notable historic characters such as Cecil Rhodes, Fred Russell Burnham, Lobengula, and Frederick Selous. It also covers a number of wars in the region, with the plot spanning over 30 years of history from 1888 to 1923. As you can imagine, it needs to be quite a lengthy book to cover all that content. However, I assure you, the content makes up for this as it is enjoyable to read.

Based on just the content of the book, Zimbabwe Falcon deserves 4 stars. Unfortunately, it contains quite a few spelling errors. Thus, I rate it 3 out of 4 stars. If you love a good historical fiction book, then you will love Zimbabwe Falcon.

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Zimbabwe Falcon
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Post by Kibet Hillary »

This is an amazing book. I like reading historical books and I will have to read this too. Thanks for the amazing and enthralling review. Good job.
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Post by Anon_Reviewer »

I love that the book includes a diverse cast. I usually enjoy historical fiction so I might give the book a try. Thanks for the review!
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Post by esthersamone »

Zimbabwe Falcon has an assortment of characters, all from differing ethnic backgrounds. We take an in-depth look at the thinking, motivations, and feelings of these characters who include Dutchmen, Afrikaners, British, Lemba, Shona, and Ndebele to mention a few.
Waoh, am loving this book already. I am forming a mental picture of how it can be. Thanks for this review.
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Post by kandscreeley »

It's too bad about the errors because I love that there's a diversity of characters here. Nevertheless, historical fiction isn't one of my favorite genres, and I know nothing about Zimbabwe. However, maybe this would be a great way to learn. Thanks for the information.
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Post by Jessacardinal »

It sounds as if the author did a good job bringing the characters to life while also presenting an abundance of historical knowledge.
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Post by T_stone »

Although historical fictions aren't my fave, I do like reading books where I can learn from. This book sounds engaging and educative. thank
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Post by dublinkmy6 »

I like the review and I'm interested in the book already.
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Post by nonamer_miss »

We get to share in the high hopes, the sense of adventure, danger, and thrill felt by the pioneers and settlers.

You just made this book more interesting! As someone who wonders what would happen to me if I live during that era, I think I would truly enjoy this book.
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Post by kdstrack »

This book would be a good way to learn more about Africa and its development. It combines an impressive list of people with the fictional story. Thanks for your interesting review.
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Post by Sweet Psamy »

I love the fact that the story has an assortment of characters all from different ethnic backgrounds.Thanks for the wonderful review.
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Post by Onyinye Excel »

The book offers a peek into the mind of the character.i. e their thinking, feelings, and motivations.This makes this book an exemplary read for me.I want to read this book.
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